Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano Unpack ‘No Good Deed’ Ending, Season 2

[This story contains major spoilers from the first season of No Good Deed.]

Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano could have starred on two of the largest sitcoms of the Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s. She performed the delightfully daffy Phoebe Buffay on NBC’s mega-hit Mates, whereas he drew from components of his personal private life to co-create and play the affable and diffident Ray Barone in CBS’ All people Loves Raymond. However regardless of working a number of levels away from one another on the Warner Bros lot for seven years, the Emmy-winning actors had truly by no means met earlier than. Not till they had been each solid in No Good Deed, which premiered final week on Netflix.

Within the newest darkish comedy sequence from Useless to Me creator and showrunner Liz Feldman, Kudrow and Romano play Lydia and Paul Morgan, empty nesters trying to promote their beautiful Los Feliz house in Los Angeles following the tragic loss of life of their teenage son Jacob (Wyatt Aubrey). Potential patrons of the Twenties Spanish-style villa embrace three households: their neighbors, a washed-up cleaning soap opera actor (Luke Wilson) and his conniving, philandering trophy spouse (Useless to Me’s Linda Cardellini); a newlywed couple (Teyonah Parris and O-T Fagbenle) anticipating their first baby; and a lesbian couple (Abbi Jacobson and Poppy Liu) fighting fertility points.

Within the season finale, Lydia and Paul — who had spent a lot of the season trying to cover the reality about what they believed led to Jacob’s passing — uncover what actually occurred on the night time their son died. With the meddling assist of Jacobson’s Leslie Fisher, who works for the L.A. district legal professional, Lydia and Paul deduce that it wasn’t truly their daughter Emily (Chloe East) who fired the shot that killed her brother, considering he was a burglar. The deadly shot truly got here from Cardellini’s Margo, who had been having an affair with the underaged Jacob and thought she would lose every little thing — together with the jewellery that Jacob had stolen from different homes to present to her — as soon as he threatened to reveal their relationship.

Whereas their revelation is not going to deliver their son again, Paul, Lydia and Emily — whose shared secret had eroded every of their relationships — are lastly in a position to get the closure they should start therapeutic as a household. “I used to be completely happy to simply see that [Paul] hides it properly however he’s damage beneath, similar to Lydia,” Romano tells The Hollywood Reporter within the joint interview under with Kudrow in regards to the finale. “I believe it was necessary for the viewers to see what this couple had at one time no less than.”

On a current video name from L.A., sitcom heavyweights Kudrow and Romano talk about their largest takeaways from their long-awaited first time working collectively, how they tried to seek out gentle and humor amid their characters’ unthinkable tragedy — and the way they each navigated the dizzying expertise of turning into well-known throughout the ’90s.

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When you signed on to this mission, what sorts of conversations did you’ve with Liz Feldman about approaching and constructing your respective characters? What was that collaboration like?

LISA KUDROW I wasn’t a part of it till approach after Ray signed on.

RAY ROMANO Yeah, you weren’t hooked up but. I examine three or 4 scripts, and I used to be very intrigued simply by the scripts. Each script made me need to learn the subsequent one, and we spoke in regards to the tone. I knew Useless to Me. I didn’t watch all three seasons, however I positively watched the primary season. I knew this was a tone that was going to be laborious to stroll the road [between] broad comedy and dramatic, however I knew she was able to doing it. My largest concern was that, within the flawed fingers, this might not be completed properly. However I obtained assured after speaking to her as a result of she expressed to me the place she wished it to go. I felt like I used to be in good fingers, and it appeared like I’d be silly to not do it.

KUDROW I knew it was a sure earlier than I learn the scripts, simply because I used to be a giant fan of Useless to Me, and I knew that was Liz Feldman. Once I heard that title, I knew precisely what that meant. After which the subsequent factor I used to be informed is, “Ray Romano will likely be your husband on this.” He doesn’t imagine, it seems, half of what I say till he will get proof. (They each chortle.) I’ve at all times wished to work with Ray Romano. That was a dream of mine as a result of I’d seen him in different issues — motion pictures, Parenthood, after which Paddleton. I used to be blown away, and he simply is easy. He’s actually listening. He’s actually simply responding.

ROMANO Nicely, thanks. I recognize that.

KUDROW And he’s simply so good. Oh boy, would I like to work with him.

ROMANO Uh oh. Let her maintain going! Go forward! (Laughs)

KUDROW After which they stated, “It’s Ray up to now and Linda Cardellini,” and that was additionally too good to be true, and I stated, “Do I even have to learn it? I don’t know why I’d ever say no to working with [these] three folks, and Ray particularly.” And my brokers stated, “Nicely, I suppose goals do come true.” I learn the primary three scripts. Then I obtained nervous, like, “See what occurs whenever you’re like, ‘I don’t even have to learn [the scripts]’? You could have killed your son. I don’t know the place that is going, however can I try this? I would like to speak to her.”

ROMANO By the way in which — and that is new to me — did you assume for a second it would’ve been you that killed him?

KUDROW Yeah!

ROMANO Oh, wow.

KUDROW As a result of her fingers are shaking; she’s holding on to a lot guilt. I imply, every little thing I used to be studying pointed to guilt. So, why is she responsible? Or did Paul unintentionally kill their son?

ROMANO Yeah, properly, it could’ve been unintentionally for each of us.

KUDROW After which it’s, “Oh, she’s the one which wished a gun. I see that within the flashback.” That’s simply episode two, proper? So it’s her fault as a result of she obtained the gun. I imply, it’s nothing however guilt, however how a lot? It’s all affordable quantities of guilt. Anyway, Liz stated, “No, you didn’t [kill him].” And I stated, “Okay, and my subsequent query is [about] the lights flickering. Please inform me that’s Jacob, and also you’re not going to clarify it with one thing else that’s simply defective wiring.” And he or she stated, “No, I do imagine that stuff.” And I used to be like, “Good, so do I.”

In some way, regardless of engaged on the identical lot for seven years, you had by no means crossed paths earlier than, however you shortly realized that you simply shared so much in widespread. Moreover being Emmy-winning stars from two of the largest sitcoms of all time, what precisely did you discover you had in widespread each personally and professionally, and the way did that inform your collaboration on this present?

ROMANO Lisa has such a novel approach with comedy. I wish to assume my wheelhouse is underplaying issues and the throwaway and whatnot, and I believe we type of complement one another in that approach. I’ve my fashion of doing it, you’ve yours, and it was very enjoyable to look at it work collectively. As folks, I believe we each method the script and the writing the identical approach, and now we have the identical questions. I believe now we have the identical work ethic too. All people’s there —

KUDROW And we need to be there, too. That’s the opposite factor. We’re each completely happy to be there. We’ve made a option to be there. Some folks get grumpy about being there, and we each need to be there. The main focus is on the [overall product], not ourselves, besides to the wholesome quantity that it is advisable have some concern about what you’re doing and, is it becoming and the way’s it going? They didn’t have playback, and we each have produced and completed issues, so it wasn’t [that we wanted to watch] playback for self-importance or to punish ourselves. It truly is to utilize the target a part of our mind to look at and see within the larger image: Is it working? What changes do I have to make?

ROMANO I do know some actors don’t even need to see it. I type of have to see playback from time to time simply to persuade myself that I’m there, that I’m doing it.

However I inform you what was attention-grabbing was, I used to be by no means apprehensive about anybody else being humorous in a scene. While you’re in what’s labeled a comedy, you need to ensure you get your share of snickers. By no means for as soon as was I apprehensive about not getting sufficient humorous traces or chortle traces. I used to be simply apprehensive about ensuring all of it feels actual. As a result of the present is labeled a darkish comedy, however I really feel prefer it’s obtained simply as a lot drama because it does comedy.

KUDROW And tragedy. That was my concern going into it, realizing what our loss was. That was a degree of tragedy that made me apprehensive about, what on earth goes to be gentle? Their son is useless. That was simply one thing I used to be a little bit involved about.

You share fairly a number of emotionally charged scenes over the course of those eight episodes, however there are two huge moments that stick out as turning factors in Paul and Lydia’s relationship: their huge combat in episode seven, and their reconciliation scene in Jacob’s room in episode eight. What did you need to convey in these key moments, and the way do you assume these scenes are indicative of the evolution of their relationship?

ROMANO The primary scene was each of us unloading. There are two very various things occurring. Within the first scene, I wished to get out how he’s been damage these final three years, so there was anger. However I didn’t need it to be simply pure anger. I used to be making an attempt to point out that there was a deep damage, which is the place it was coming from, and I don’t know if I obtained it. I assumed I did.

KUDROW You bought it! (Laughs)

ROMANO That was a troublesome scene for me. However I bear in mind speaking to Liz after that night time or the subsequent night time and calling her and saying, “I don’t know if I used to be getting what I used to be making an attempt for,” and I used to be simply an insecure actor who she needed to persuade me that it was there. (To Kudrow) I knew you had been there. I used to be enjoying off of you, and I used to be so wanting to maintain up with you.

KUDROW Wow, that’s good.

ROMANO That was a boiling level for every little thing that we had been going by.

KUDROW For me, that scene felt extra prefer it was actually necessary for Paul to lastly let it out and simply categorical it.

ROMANO He was not blaming you, however suppressing the sensation of the gun being in the home.

KUDROW We each have been so mad at one another, so mad, and Lydia didn’t know what was occurring. She didn’t know that [Jacob] had stolen [from other houses]. It felt like he was in hassle, however she didn’t actually know why. Is it as a result of Margo fired him, so he felt dangerous about himself, and his dad is just too laborious on him? I believe that’s a typical factor for moms watching their husband, the daddy, and son go at it, which is what fathers and sons do.

ROMANO And to not get too darkish or critical, however households that undergo one thing like this, plenty of them don’t make it.

KUDROW The key is killing them and binding them, maintaining them collectively, which is a loopy dynamic. However I believe you perceive. I imply, you inform me — you watched it. I simply purchased in as a result of I used to be enjoying the individual and justifying why every little thing’s occurring. However there’s nobody to speak to about it. She will’t get remedy. She will’t discuss to a buddy. And [Paul] received’t discuss.

ROMANO That’s the loopy factor about that state of affairs is that we needed to disguise every little thing. So that you’re proper — there was no outlet for it.

And what in regards to the second scene? I assumed it was candy that Lydia catches Paul speaking to the sunshine in Jacob’s room, after he had spent a lot of the season refusing to imagine any indicators that their son’s spirit was nonetheless of their home.

ROMANO I used to be pleased with that scene, too. I used to be completely happy to see that this man hides it properly however he’s damage beneath, similar to Lydia. Similar to the offended scene was necessary to precise, this was simply as necessary, and I believe it was necessary for the viewers to see what this couple had at one time no less than. It was tough as a result of I don’t know the way a lot my character believes that he’s speaking to his son, however at that time, I believe he’s reaching for one thing; he desires anyone to connect with.

KUDROW In my thoughts, it felt like Paul was surrendering lastly: “Okay, you assume he’s right here within the room? All proper, let’s see. I surrender. I don’t know what else to do.”

[While shooting that scene] I used to be standing exterior the door and I may hear him in there earlier than I entered. The sound man was close to me, and I may hear it, and I used to be tearing up simply listening to him and realizing what’s occurring. I may tear up proper now. There’s one thing about somebody who’s been defending themselves a lot, after which lastly surrendering once more like that and being so weak. That’s actually touching. Duh! I simply say issues which are apparent, however yeah, it was good. However Lydia wasn’t absolutely there but, so I needed to then put that away after which enter the room. She’s nonetheless a little bit mad.

ROMANO Proper! And he or she simply catches the tail finish of it too.

Now that Lydia and Paul have bought their home, have you ever spoken with Liz about what a second season of this present may appear like? Have you ever given a lot thought to the place these characters may go subsequent?

ROMANO We haven’t spoken about that side of it. We’ve mentioned whether or not or not there’s a chance of no less than the community wanting it. Will the community inexperienced gentle it and wish it?

KUDROW No matter she has, you imply, for the subsequent season?

ROMANO Yeah. There have been a pair wrinkles left on the finish with the opposite {couples}. However when the time comes, if she has one thing for us, I’m able to go.

KUDROW Yeah, me too.

Lisa, you admitted that you simply watched All people Loves Raymond for the primary time throughout the pandemic and have since watched it thrice, and Ray remarked that you’d typically quote traces from that present on the set of No Good Deed. What would you quote or reference again to Ray?

ROMANO Nicely, I do know what her favourite episode is: “The Sneeze.”

KUDROW “The Sneeze”! Nicely, that opening made me chortle out loud over and again and again. I simply would pull it up on YouTube and present it to my son, and he laughed out loud. It’s like, okay, they’re within the rest room, and the man sneezes proper in your face — and the look in your face, you had been so damage. You weren’t simply disgusted and mad. You had been so injured. Your emotions had been damage by it. (Laughs)

ROMANO As a result of I additionally knew that is going to trigger a ripple impact for the subsequent couple days. I knew what I used to be in for — my character did.

On the flip aspect, Ray, do you’ve a favourite Mates episode?

KUDROW (Deadpans) Did you ever see it?

ROMANO I did see it. I noticed it many instances. (Kudrow laughs.)

So far as Lisa, in fact, everybody is aware of the “Smelly Cat.” What I cherished about Mates was … there isn’t a weak hyperlink in there. Usually, whenever you watch a present that has an ensemble like that, you’ve a favourite. You’ve got a factor the place, “Oh, that man’s humorous, however the different two, three characters are funnier.” Each one in every of them, I used to be prepared to look at and chortle at what they had been going to do. I by no means felt like, “Oh, let’s simply get by this storyline so we will get to the opposite humorous guys.” I simply felt you had simply an all-star workforce, and also you all had completely different types. The writers had been nice, however you guys additionally finessed every little thing completely.

I do bear in mind one line that [David] Schwimmer stated whenever you had been taking a look at photographs — I overlook the episode — and also you stated, “Is that Monica?” And Schwimmer went, “No, I used to be making an attempt one thing.” (They each chortle.)

You had been additionally rose to fame earlier than the daybreak of social media, so the eye you acquired felt notably concentrated. How would you describe your expertise of fame and dropping your anonymity within the ’90s? What stands proud to you from that interval of your life, and the way did you navigate it?

ROMANO Nicely, Lisa’s was far more magnified than mine. I do know that.

KUDROW Actually?

ROMANO Sure, in fact! You had been the Beatles, and we had been Alvin and the Chipmunks.

KUDROW (Shakes her head and laughs.) That’s not true! There have been six of us going by it on the identical time, so we had been questioning, how on earth does somebody undergo this alone? As a result of it’s so much.

ROMANO That’s what the Beatles considered Elvis Presley. The Beatles did say that. They stated, “We had one another, and Elvis simply had himself.” So that you’re the Beatles, however I’m not Elvis. On no account am I Elvis. I’m extra like, oh God, I can’t even assume [of a comparison] —

KUDROW Peter Sellers? (Laughs) I imply, I don’t know what you’re saying. You’re Ray Romano. Everybody is aware of your title, for positive.

ROMANO I don’t need to say I’m such as you, however it’s a bizarre factor. It’s a double factor. You do assume that you simply’ve made it, and also you additionally assume you’re good and also you assume you’re horrible. I stated this line earlier than: Earlier than I used to be well-known, I assumed my cab driver hated me. And now, I believe my limo driver hates me. The insecurity and the self-doubt remains to be there, so it didn’t have an effect on me that approach, actually, and I had my household, and I didn’t undergo a loopy [experience where] I needed to adapt to this loopy life-style.

KUDROW However I didn’t actually both, to be trustworthy, out of the six of us. I obtained married early on to somebody who was not an actor or on this enterprise in any respect. And I believe there’s so much then, as [is the case] now, there’s much more consideration on the only folks and, who’re you courting now? And, oh, have a look at that. That’s a well-known couple. So I didn’t have that white-hot focus, and it was high quality.

ROMANO Proper, you didn’t have the identical as Jennifer Aniston and Brad [Pitt] —

KUDROW And Courteney [Cox] and the blokes [Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc]. It was at all times following them round like, “Who’re you with?”

ROMANO I wasn’t within the tabloids. I used to be within the tabloids as soon as, they usually stated I used to be rushed to a hospital with a peanut allergy. I’m not kidding! (Laughs)

KUDROW However I bear in mind the primary time. We had been associates with the ER solid, and they also would come over and hang around, and George Clooney would come over and hang around. This was earlier than Batman, earlier than our reveals had been hits. [It was] the primary season, they usually had been doing properly. And he came visiting with a tabloid and stated, “Look! They assume we’re courting! We’re in a tabloid!”

ROMANO That’s humorous! It was nice for him. You weren’t married but, proper?

KUDROW Proper. I don’t bear in mind which one, however he was so excited. And I went, “Oh, no!” And he stated, “No, it’s nice.” (Laughs) I stated, “No, however I’ve a boyfriend!”

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No Good Deed is now streaming on Netflix.